Black-owned business gift guide: Food, fitness and beauty

For the gift-buying season, Memphis has an abundance of local, Black-owned businesses where shoppers can search for the perfect gifts. In 2018, Memphis topped or ranked high on multiple lists as one of the best cities for Black business owners to set up shop. More than 50 Black business owners assembled at the Pipkin Building to showcase products and services at the Black Christmas Expo December 8 and 9.

From sweet treats to natural soaps to unique tours and ways to get healthy, here is part one of our list of Black-owned businesses for those who want to shop local this holiday season.

Check out part two here — Black-owned business gift guide: Art, accessories and apparel


Food & Treats

Shortbread cookies from the Made From Scratch Cookie Company.

Made From Scratch Cookie Company

Cookies and brownies; recipes include chocolate chip, buttery shortbread, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, oatmeal cranberry & white chocolate, snickerdoodle, spiced ginger

Facebook | Instagram

Available at Superlo locations, Cordelia’s Market (737 Harbor Bend Road) and High Point Grocery (469 High Point Terrace)

Delivery available

Price Range: $20 for Christmas cookie boxes (one dozen cookies) and delivery


Two Vegan Sistas Meal Preps & More

Meal plans, detoxes and catering

twovegansistas.com | Facebook | Instagram

Limited delivery is available

$20 and up


Araba's Sweet Spot

Vegan chocolate chip cookies, brownie cookies and coconut cookies

arabassweetspot.com | Instagram

Available at 99 Cents Soul Food Express (414 S. Main Street)

Memphis delivery available with a $25 minimum; customers can email [email protected] 

$6-$50


Sweet Elouise

Candy, cookies, cakes and crafts for custom orders and events

Sweetelouise.com | Facebook | Instagram

Available at Memphis Farmers Market, Hernando Farmers Market and farmers markets hosted by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Methodist South Hospital

All orders are pickup only

Local events $2-$10 | Most custom orders start at $25 per dozen treats


Ele & Ivy Tea Company

Loose leaf tea products and customized tea bars at events

Eleivyteaco.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Available at local pop-up shops

Delivery is available

$10-$30


Guilt Free Pastries

Gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, paleo and keto diet friendly, soy free, xanthan gum free, dairy free and vegan friendly pastries

Consulting for individuals, groups and companies for customized health and wellness needs

guiltfreepastries.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Nationwide shipping available

Available at Casbah Restaurant (1890 N. Germantown Parkway), Bottomless Cup Coffee (144 S. Memphis Street in Holly Springs, Mississippi) and Downtown Memphis Farmers Market

Same day deliveries available for all orders placed before 2 p.m. 

$4 and up
 

Novelty

901Box

Hand painted gift boxes filled with Memphis-based and Memphis-made products and services and info about attractions from Memphis makers, businesses, and organizations

the901box.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Delivery and USPS shipping available

$45-$75 for standard boxes and custom prices for special events and occasions


A Tour of Possibilities

Tours of African-American history in Memphis and local food tasting tours

Atopmemphis.com | Facebook | Instagram

$38-$75
A gift basket prepared by Beaux Cadeaux.Beaux Cadeaux

Gift baskets for all occasions; corporate, pampering, sweet and savory snacks, gourmet/fruit, custom and Memphis-themed

thebcgiftcollections.com

Local delivery and nationwide shipping

$40 and up


City Tasting Tours

A food tasting experience led by a culinary guide in Downtown Memphis. Taste dishes from four local restaurants while meeting the chefs and learning the history and future of the city

CityTastingTours.com | Facebook | Instagram

$45-$75

Beauty & Bath

LATHA

Bath and body products inspired by mixology. Soaps, bath bombs, sugar scrubs, body butter and more

Lathabar.com | Facebook | Instagram

Available at Paper & Clay (486 N. Hollywood Street)

Delivery available in the Memphis area

Shipping available outside Memphis

$3-$40


Gifts From Nature

Handcrafted natural soaps, naked bath bombs, finishing oils and herbal salves

Gfnsoap.com | Facebook | Instagram

Available at Maggie's Pharm (13 Florence Street), City Silo Table + Pantry (5101 Sanderlin Ave, Suite 104b), Trousseau (408 Perkins Extended), Premier Flowers (10 N. Second Street, Suite 105) and Sundara Wellness (1314 Peabody Avenue)

$8-$50

Handmade soap by Urban Indulgence.

Urban Indulgence

Handcrafted, plant-based bath and body products such as handmade soap, body butters and oils and sugar scrubs

theurbanindulgence.com | Facebook | Instagram | (901) 730-6507

Urban Indulgence retail store located at 3314 Poplar, Suite 4

$3-$25


Kiss and Makeup

Makeup application and education

Kissandmakeupmemphis.com | Facebook | Instagram

Prices start at $95 per person

Products sold by Live Naturelle Skincare

Live Naturelle Skincare

Handcrafted, science-based skincare products formulated to heal and nourish the skin

livenaturelle.com | Facebook | Instagram

Delivery available for minimum orders of $60

$15-$25


Danielle Soaps and Scrubs

Natural, homemade soaps and scrubs

Soaps | Facebook | Instagram

Shipping available

$6-$25
 

Fitness & Wellness

Freewill Fitness

One-on-one and couples personal training

Freewillfitness.com | Facebook

Will train at various locations

$300-$1000 with payment plans available

A class hosted by Bombshell Sherika Fitness

Bombshell Sherika Fitness

Fitness services for women

Sherikafitness.com | Facebook | Instagram

Price Range: $125-$250 per month


Fit and Finally Free

Corporate wellness programs, motivational speaking, lifestyle and wellness coaching, nutritional counseling, weight loss management, healthy meal prep and meal planning, pantry and refrigerator makeovers, healthy grocery store tours, healthy cooking classes and demos for individual, group and team building, healthy meal plans, running and fitness training plans

fitandfinallyfree.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Services available via phone, email, Skype, or in person within Shelby and Desoto County; out of town engagements at an additional cost

Prices vary per service


Coach Karren Empowerment Coaching & Consulting

Coaching for individuals, leaders and groups and author of "Power Walk 40-Day Devotional Journal" and "One Is A Whole Number: Recovering The Joy of Being Single"

CoachKarren.com | Facebook

Books available at Cheryl Pesce Lifestyle Store (1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 125)

Books range from $15-$17

Enjoy this story? Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.

Read more articles by Brandi Hunter.

Brandi is a freelance journalist, brand writer and tech strategist based in Memphis, TN.